A Florida man has been taken into custody following a series of deliberate and dangerous acts where he allegedly scattered hundreds of nails onto public roadways on dozens of occasions.
Caught in the act after months of incidents
Felix Uresti, aged 51, was arrested on Tuesday after deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office witnessed him exiting his vehicle and placing nails onto Miller Road in Valrico. This location is approximately 15 miles east of Tampa. His arrest came after an investigation that began on 11 September last year when the first report of nails on the road was made.
A sustained campaign of vandalism
Authorities stated that following the initial incident on South Miller Road and Lithia Center Lane, a further 27 similar reports were logged over the subsequent five months, all within the same vicinity. The suspect's method was consistent, involving the scattering of roofing nails which pose a severe risk to vehicle tyres and road safety.
Upon searching Uresti's white 2022 Toyota Tundra following his arrest, deputies discovered a large bucket of nails in the back seat. The hardware matched the type used in the previous incidents.
Charges and community warning
Uresti now faces multiple charges, including six counts of criminal mischief where the damage totals $1,000 or more. He has also been charged with throwing a deadly missile at a vehicle and violating Florida's litter law.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the actions, stating: "Throwing nails into the roadway is a deliberate and malicious act that puts innocent people in danger and carries serious consequences. This was a senseless decision that endangered working families, children, and first responders when seconds matter most."
The sheriff's office has urged anyone who suffered vehicle damage from nails in the Miller Road area to contact detectives on (813) 247-8200 for further assistance.
